When it’s time to replace your garage door, not only will you be responsible for selecting a new door with superior upgrades and modern finishes, but you’ll need to optimize the performance of your new door with an updated garage door opener. With the latest industry advancements, there’s a wide variety of new opener models available in several styles — homeowners should understand all the different types and how each can benefit your home and long-term functionality expectations.
Over the past few years, jackshaft openers have increased in popularity for many homeowners. Traditionally common in commercial settings, jackshaft openers feature improved performance and streamlined features for exceptional residential use.
How Does a Jackshaft Opener Work?
Wall-mounted garage door openers, often referred to as a jackshaft opener, are a unique machine style that is mounted to either the left or right side of the garage door opener versus overhead with a track and rail system. Jackshaft openers are connected to the garage door’s torsion bar to raise and lower the door. This system is suitable for any type of garage door including full vertical lift, standard lift and high lift doors. With its superior design, jackshaft openers are also incredibly quiet and suitable for garages situated near a living space.
Residential jackshaft opener models can work on large garage doors that reach up to 14-feet high and has similar operational capacities to trolley operators, including installation processes, lifespan, heavy-duty performance capacity and warranties. While jackshaft openers typically cost a bit more to install than alternative belt or chain overhead opener models, the jackshaft opener’s range of benefits makes up for the initial upfront costs.
Pros of a Jackshaft Opener
While wall mount jackshaft opener models may seem unusual and intimidating compared to standard overhead options, many homeowners should consider upgrading to this type of machine due to its unmatched advantages. If you’re unsure whether a jackshaft opener could benefit your home, consider the following advantages:
- Improved storage space: Due to being installed on the side of your garage door versus overhead, homeowners can have more available garage ceiling space that is often used for storing large or awkwardly shaped items like bicycles, canoes and other large items. Rail systems used by chain and belt drive openers restrict the amount of available ceiling space, while jackshaft openers create much-needed area. This design can also be used for high lift garage doors and eliminate the need for installing a false panel.
- Variable installation options: Garages with either incredibly high or low ceilings can benefit from having a garage door opener installed on the side of the door. Trolley garage door openers with rails need at least 48 inches of overhead clearance above the garage doors, which many homes can’t accommodate. In these specific cases, jackshaft openers provide an efficient and dependable opener alternative.
- Better safety features: With modern jackshaft openers, you can have peace of mind that your home has access to the latest safety improvements including safety reversal systems and sensors. Many jackshaft opener models can also be upgraded to include a 200-watt light for added safety and convenience.
- Greater security improvements: Dated garage door openers use a single opener frequency code to open and close the garage door — this one code can easily be copied to another remote and used as a way to enter your home. The latest garage door opener models — including jackshaft models — feature rolling door codes that have unique door codes every time the door is opened to prevent copying.
- Updated convenience capabilities: The latest garage door opener models not only have the best safety and security features, but they also come with several connectivity updates, including Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone control. LiftMaster jackshaft openers have MyQ — a free app for your Apple or Android device — which allows homeowners to receive real-time alerts, control their garage door from anywhere and synchronize the door with other home security devices.
When to Choose a Jackshaft Opener
Since jackshaft openers have traditionally been designed for commercial use, why are more homeowners choosing to upgrade to this model? Jackshaft garage door openers offer homeowners more flexible and dependable garage door openers. You can use them for any type of garage door operation, but they’re also ideally suited for the following situations:
- High garage ceilings: Standard single or double car garage doors are approximately eight feet high, but newer homes may have ceilings reaching up to 12 feet. That available space is often needed for storing large items, and the rail system used by belt or chain drive openers may limit your available overhead space — with a jackshaft opener you can utilize all available space.
- Sloped ceilings: If your home has a sloped garage ceiling, it will be extremely difficult to try installing an overhead garage door opener. With a jackshaft style, you can easily have smooth operations without the installation headache.
- Limited garage depth: For an overhead door opener, there must be at least 48 inches of available clearance. Often, a boiler, plumbing or other fixture can limit the amount of garage door depth available, making a wall mount jackshaft opener the most suitable option.
Upgrade to a New Jackshaft Opener — Check Out Garage Door Openers From Quality Overhead Door
When you’re ready to improve the functionality and convenience of your home, work with the local experts at Quality Overhead Door to find a new LiftMaster jackshaft opener. We happily provide product guidance and garage door opener installation services for homeowners throughout the Toledo, OH, area. To learn more about our jackshaft opener options, visit our local showroom, call us today at 419-578-8700 or complete our online contact form.
Additional Resources On Garage Doors:
- How Much Headroom is Needed for a Garage Door?
- What is the Learn Button on a Garage Door Opener?
- Lifespan of Garage Doors and Garage Door Openers?
- How Do Garage Door Sensors Work?
- How Much Horsepower Does My Garage Door Opener Need?